CN116648165A

CN116648165A - hair care appliance

Info

Publication number: CN116648165A
Application number: CN202180087272.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·皮尔; R·库尔顿
Original assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2020-12-22
Filing date: 2021-12-03
Publication date: 2023-08-25
Also published as: GB2602281A; US20240065410A1; WO2022136827A1; GB202020342D0

Abstract

A hair care appliance has an air inlet, an air outlet and an airflow generator for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet. The air outlet has a first aperture on a first side of the hair care appliance and a second aperture on a second side of the hair care appliance opposite the first side of the hair care appliance. The hair care appliance is configured such that engagement of the first side of the hair care appliance with the hair increases airflow through the first aperture and decreases airflow through the second aperture, and engagement of the second side of the hair care appliance with the hair increases airflow through the second aperture and decreases airflow through the first aperture.

Description

Hair care appliance

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a hair care appliance and an accessory for a hair care appliance.

Background

Hair care appliances are commonly used for treating or styling hair, and some hair care appliances may use an air stream to treat or style hair. To provide versatility in treating and styling hair, some hair care appliances provide air flow at variable flow rates.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an accessory for a hair care appliance, the accessory comprising an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the air outlet comprises a first aperture on a first side of the accessory and a second aperture on a second side of the accessory opposite the first side of the accessory, the accessory being configured such that engagement of the first side of the accessory with hair increases airflow through the first aperture and decreases airflow through the second aperture, and engagement of the second side of the accessory with hair increases airflow through the second aperture and decreases airflow through the first aperture.

The attachment according to the first aspect of the invention may be advantageous in that the attachment is configured such that engagement of the first side of the attachment with hair increases airflow through the first aperture and decreases airflow through the second aperture, and engagement of the second side of the attachment with hair increases airflow through the second aperture and decreases airflow through the first aperture. In particular, this may increase the air flow through the apertures on one side of the attachment which engages hair in use, while reducing the air flow through the apertures on the opposite side of the attachment which does not engage hair in use. This may allow for a greater volume of air flow to be provided on one side of the accessory relative to the other side of the accessory in use, which may provide increased efficiency, e.g. less wastage of air flow directed away from the hair in use, and may provide increased styling control by directing the air flow primarily only in a desired direction in use, thereby reducing the risk of stray air flow affecting the styling process.

The accessory and hair care appliance may include a central axis, such as a central longitudinal axis, the first and second sides of the accessory may be located on opposite sides of the central axis, and the first and second apertures may be located on opposite sides of the central axis. The first and second sides of the attachment may be located on opposite sides of a plane containing the central axis and the first and second holes may be located on opposite sides of the plane.

The attachment may be configured such that engagement of the first side of the attachment with hair reduces airflow through the second aperture to substantially zero and engagement of the second side of the attachment with hair reduces airflow through the first aperture to substantially zero. This may allow little or no air flow through the apertures on the sides of the accessory that do not engage the hair in use, which may provide increased efficiency, e.g. less waste of air flow directed away from the hair in use, and may provide increased styling control by directing the air flow primarily only in the desired direction in use, thereby reducing the risk of stray air flow affecting the styling process.

Each of the first and second apertures may include a respective maximum cross-sectional area, and the fitment may be configured such that the first aperture includes its maximum cross-sectional area when the air flow through the second aperture is zero, and the second aperture includes its maximum cross-sectional area when the air flow through the first aperture is zero. This may provide a substantial portion, if not all, of the airflow through the accessory to the side of the accessory that engages the hair in use, which may provide increased efficiency, e.g. less wastage of airflow directed away from the hair in use, and may provide increased styling control by directing the airflow primarily only in a desired direction in use, thereby reducing the risk of stray airflow affecting the styling process.

The first and second apertures may each comprise a variable cross-sectional area, for example a cross-sectional area that is variable between a maximum cross-sectional area and a minimum cross-sectional area.

The accessory may include a fixed member and a movable member movable relative to the fixed member, movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member may occur in response to engagement of hair with either of the first side and the second side, and movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member may vary the airflow through either of the first aperture and the second aperture. The use of a movable member may provide a simple mechanical mechanism for varying the airflow through the first and second apertures without varying the flow rate of the airflow generator.

The movable member may comprise a plurality of bristles and the movable member may be movable in use in response to engagement of the bristles with hair. In use, the bristles may provide a secure mechanical engagement with the hair, which may result in a secure variability in the airflow through the first and second apertures that varies in response to engagement with the hair in use.

The accessory may include a primary airflow path, the stationary member may define first and second passages leading from the primary airflow path to the movable member, the first and second apertures may be formed in the movable member, and movement of the movable member relative to the stationary member may change the alignment of the first aperture with the first passage and the alignment of the second aperture with the second passage. Thus, the air flow through the first and second apertures may be selectively varied by movement of the movable member to vary the alignment of the first and second apertures with the first and second passages. The use of corresponding channels and apertures may provide a simple mechanism for altering the flow of air through the first and second apertures in use.

The movable member may extend around the stationary member, for example at a greater radial distance from the central axis than the stationary member. The movable member may extend annularly around the fixed member. The movable member may rotate about the fixed member, e.g., the central axis defines an axis of rotation of the movable member.

The perfect alignment of the first aperture with the first channel may provide maximum airflow through the first aperture, while the perfect misalignment of the first aperture with the first channel may provide minimum airflow through the first aperture. The perfect alignment of the second aperture with the second channel may provide maximum airflow through the second aperture, while the perfect misalignment of the second aperture with the second channel may provide minimum airflow through the first aperture. The accessory may be configured such that when the first aperture is fully aligned with the first channel, the second aperture is fully misaligned with the second channel, and when the second aperture is fully aligned with the second channel, the first aperture is fully misaligned with the first channel. The movable member may include a solid body in which the first and second apertures are formed, the solid body may block the second aperture when the first aperture is fully aligned with the first channel, and the solid body may block the first aperture when the second aperture is fully aligned with the first channel.

The movable member may be biased to a rest configuration in which the first aperture is aligned with the first channel portion and the second aperture is aligned with the second channel portion. This may allow for providing airflow through both the first and second apertures in the rest configuration. The rest configuration may include a configuration in which the accessory is not engaged with hair in use. In a resting configuration, the airflow through the first and second apertures may be at a level between maximum and minimum airflow levels through the first and second apertures. In a resting configuration, the air flow levels through the first and second apertures may be substantially equal.

Engagement of the hair with the first side of the accessory can move the movable member from the stationary configuration to increase airflow through the first aperture and decrease airflow through the second aperture. The engagement of the hair with the second side of the accessory may move the movable member from the stationary configuration to increase airflow through the second aperture and decrease airflow through the first aperture.

The movable member may comprise a unitary structure, such as a one-piece member. This may reduce the number of parts and costs relative to, for example, a multi-piece movable member, and may reduce the risk of failure in use.

The first and second apertures may be shaped such that the airflow through the first and second apertures includes a component tangential to the accessory. This may provide increased control over styling using the accessory as compared to accessories that provide airflow through the first and second apertures, for example, only in a radial direction, as in use hair may generally extend in a tangential direction relative to the accessory to achieve greater hair coverage and reduced drying and/or styling time.

The fixed member and the movable member may each at least partially define first and second apertures such that movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member changes the cross-sectional area of either of the first and second apertures. In this way, movement of the movable member in response to engagement with hair may vary the air flow through the first and second apertures by varying the cross-sectional area of the first and second apertures.

Engagement of the first side of the appendage with the hair can move the movable member to increase the cross-sectional area of the first aperture and decrease the cross-sectional area of the second aperture, and engagement of the second side of the appendage with the hair can move the movable member to increase the cross-sectional area of the second aperture and decrease the cross-sectional area of the first aperture. This may enable automatic adjustment of the airflow through one of the first and second apertures in response to adjustment of the airflow through the other of the second and first apertures.

Each of the first and second apertures may include a respective minimum cross-sectional area, engagement of the first side of the appendage with the hair may move the movable member to reduce the cross-sectional area of the second aperture to its minimum cross-sectional area, and engagement of the second side of the appendage with the hair may move the movable member to reduce the cross-sectional area of the first aperture to its minimum cross-sectional area. This may allow for a greater amount of airflow provided through one aperture relative to the amount of airflow provided through the other aperture, for example through the aperture on the side of the accessory that engages hair, which may provide for increased efficiency, for example by directing less wasted airflow to the aperture on the side of the accessory that does not engage hair, and may provide for increased styling control by directing the airflow primarily only in a desired direction during use, thereby reducing the risk of stray airflow affecting the styling process. The minimum cross-sectional area of each of the first and second apertures may be zero.

The movable member may include a first movable portion at least partially defining the first aperture and a second movable portion at least partially defining the second aperture, movement of the first movable portion may result in movement of the second movable portion, and movement of the second movable portion may result in movement of the first movable portion. This may allow for automatic adjustment of the second aperture in response to adjustment of the first aperture and vice versa, which may enable the characteristics of the air flow provided through the first and second apertures to be automatically changed upon engagement with hair, for example by providing a diffuse or concentrated air flow depending on the cross-sectional area of the apertures.

Movement of the first movable portion in a first direction may increase the cross-sectional area of the first aperture, movement of the second movable portion in the first direction may decrease the cross-sectional area of the second aperture, movement of the first movable portion in a second direction opposite the first direction may decrease the cross-sectional area of the first aperture, and movement of the second movable portion in the second direction may increase the cross-sectional area of the second aperture. This may enable a greater amount of airflow from the first aperture to be selectively provided relative to the second aperture, or vice versa.

The first and second movable portions may be movable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the outer surface of the accessory, e.g., in a direction away from and/or toward the accessory. The first and second movable portions may be movable in a direction tangential to the outer surface of the accessory, for example in a direction along the periphery of the accessory. The first and second movable portions may be linearly movable. The first and second movable portions may be rotatably movable. The first and second movable portions may be movable in at least two planes of motion.

The movement of the first and second movable portions may be limited such that the first and second apertures include maximum and minimum cross-sectional areas, respectively, at the boundaries of movement of the first and second movable portions. This may ensure that, for example, displacement of the first and second movable portions at a maximum distance relative to other parts of the accessory provides maximum and minimum cross-sectional areas for the first and second apertures and, for example, maximum and minimum airflow through the first and second apertures for a given flow rate of the airflow generator.

The first aperture may include its largest cross-sectional area when the second aperture includes its smallest cross-sectional area, and the first aperture includes its smallest cross-sectional area when the second aperture includes its largest cross-sectional area. This may enable a greater amount of airflow from the first aperture to be selectively provided relative to the second aperture, or vice versa.

The first and second movable portions may be biased to a rest configuration in use, and the first and second apertures may comprise a cross-sectional area between their maximum and minimum cross-sectional areas when the first and second movable portions are in their respective rest configurations. For example, when the movable member moves in use in response to engagement of one side of the accessory with hair, this may enable airflow to pass through both the first and second apertures in a stationary configuration before increasing airflow through one of the first and second apertures and decreasing airflow through the other of the second and first apertures. The first and second movable portions may be biased to a rest configuration without the hair engaging the accessory.

In use, the first and second movable portions may be biased to a stationary configuration by airflow through the accessory. This may ensure that the airflow is able to pass through both the first and second apertures in the rest configuration. The first and second movable portions may be biased to a stationary configuration by an airflow flowing at a flow rate greater than a predetermined threshold. The first and second movable portions may be positioned such that the first and second apertures include their smallest cross-sectional areas in the absence of airflow through the accessory.

The airflow generator may be configured to generate an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet at an airflow rate of greater than 4L/s, greater than 6L/s, greater than 8L/s, greater than 10L/s, greater than 12L/s, or greater than 14L/s.

The first and second movable portions may be biased to a stationary configuration against the force of the biasing member. This ensures that the movable part moves from the rest configuration without airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet in use. The biasing member may comprise a plurality of biasing members, for example at least one biasing member per movable portion. The biasing member may comprise a spring.

In use, movement of the first movable portion to increase the cross-sectional area of the first aperture may reduce the internal air pressure of the accessory, and a reduction in internal air pressure may result in movement of the second movable portion to reduce the cross-sectional area of the second aperture. This may provide an automatic mechanism for reducing the cross-sectional area of the second aperture in response to increasing the cross-sectional area of the first aperture, or vice versa. For example, the internal air pressure of the accessory may be sufficient to bias the first and second movable portions such that the first and second apertures comprise the same cross-sectional area, and movement of the first movable member to increase the cross-sectional area of the first aperture may decrease the internal air pressure of the accessory. Such a reduction in the internal air pressure may mean that the internal air pressure is no longer sufficient to hold the second movable portion in its initial position, and thus the second movable portion may move in response to a reduction in the internal air pressure of the accessory to reduce the cross-sectional area of the second aperture.

Movement of the first movable portion may cause the first movable portion to contact the second movable portion and cause movement of the second movable portion. Movement of the second movable portion may cause the second movable portion to contact the first movable portion and cause movement of the first movable portion. Such physical contact between the first and second movable portions may provide a reliable way of causing movement of the other of the second and first movable portions in use. The first or second movable portion may be rotatable about the periphery of the accessory to contact the other of the second or first movable portion.

The first and second movable portions may be connected by at least one mechanical link. Such a mechanical linkage may ensure that movement of the first movable portion causes movement of the second movable portion and vice versa. The mechanical linkage may enable the first and second movable portions to reciprocate. The first and second movable portions may be directly connected by at least one mechanical linkage or indirectly connected by at least one mechanical linkage.

The at least one mechanical linkage is elastically deformable such that movement of the first movable portion causes movement of the second movable portion. This may ensure, for example, that the first and second movable portions are able to return to their original positions without applying a force in use. Deformation of the at least one mechanical linkage in response to movement of the first movable portion in the first direction may result in movement of the second movable portion in the first direction.

The accessory may include a third movable portion, the first, second and third movable portions being spaced around the periphery of the accessory, and adjacent movable portions may be connected by a mechanical linkage. In this way, movement of any movable portion may affect any combination of other movable portions.

Each movable member may be connected to other movable members by a single mechanical linkage. The use of a single mechanical linkage may reduce the number of components and/or cost and may reduce the risk of failure in use as compared to a similar arrangement using multiple mechanical linkages.

The accessory may include a plurality of stationary members and a plurality of movable portions, each movable portion at least partially defining a plurality of apertures. Each movable portion may be intermediate adjacent stationary members such that each movable portion at least partially defines a plurality of apertures. For example, the first movable portion may be located between the first and second fixed members such that the first movable portion and the first fixed member define a first aperture and the first movable portion and the second fixed member define a third aperture. Movement of the first movable portion in a first direction may increase the cross-sectional area of the first aperture while decreasing the cross-sectional area of the third aperture, and movement of the first movable portion in a second direction opposite the first direction may increase the cross-sectional area of the third aperture while decreasing the cross-sectional area of the first aperture. In this way, the cross-sectional area of the aperture may be increased when the movable portion is moved in either direction.

The second movable portion may be located between the first and second fixed members such that the second movable portion and the second fixed member define a second aperture and the second movable portion and the first fixed member define a fourth aperture. Movement of the second movable portion in a first direction may increase the cross-sectional area of the second aperture while decreasing the cross-sectional area of the fourth aperture, and movement of the second movable portion in a second direction opposite the first direction may increase the cross-sectional area of the fourth aperture while decreasing the cross-sectional area of the second aperture.

Movement of the first movable portion to increase the cross-sectional area of the first or third aperture may result in movement of the second movable portion to decrease the cross-sectional area of both the second and fourth apertures. Movement of the second movable portion to increase the cross-sectional area of the second or fourth aperture may result in movement of the first movable portion to decrease the cross-sectional area of both the first and third apertures.

The securing member may be shaped such that the airflow through the first and second apertures includes a component tangential to the accessory. This may provide increased control over styling using the accessory as compared to accessories that provide airflow through the first and second apertures, for example, only in a radial direction, as in use hair may generally extend in a tangential direction relative to the accessory to achieve greater hair coverage and reduced drying and/or styling time.

The first and second securing members may be shaped such that air flow through the first and third apertures moves in substantially opposite directions. The first and second securing members may be shaped such that air flow through the second and fourth apertures moves in substantially opposite directions. This may provide airflow in different directions depending on the direction in which the accessory is moved relative to the hair in use.

The accessory may include at least three movable members and at least three stationary members.

The accessory may include a heater to heat the airflow generated in use by the airflow generator.

The attachment may include a plurality of apertures at a periphery of the attachment, the plurality of apertures including a first aperture and a second aperture, the attachment being configured such that engagement of the attachment with hair in the region of any one of the plurality of apertures increases airflow through the aperture and decreases airflow through the opposing aperture on an opposing side of the attachment. This may enable a varying airflow about the periphery of the accessory to be selectively provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a hair care appliance comprising an air inlet, an air outlet, and an airflow generator for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet, wherein the air outlet comprises a first aperture on a first side of the hair care appliance and a second aperture on a second side of the hair care appliance opposite the first side of the hair care appliance, the hair care appliance being configured such that engagement of the first side of the hair care appliance with hair increases the airflow through the first aperture and decreases the airflow through the second aperture, and engagement of the second side of the hair care appliance with hair increases the airflow through the second aperture and decreases the airflow through the first aperture.

The hair care appliance may include a handle unit having an air flow generator disposed therein and an accessory including an air outlet, the accessory being removably attached to the handle unit. Providing the above-described air outlet as part of a removable accessory may allow a user to selectively provide the functionality described herein.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a hair care appliance comprising an air inlet, an air outlet, and an airflow generator for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet, wherein the air outlet comprises a first aperture on a first side of the hair care appliance and a second aperture on a second side of the hair care appliance opposite the first side, the first and second apertures each comprising a variable cross-sectional area, the hair care appliance being configured such that engagement of the first side of the hair care appliance with hair increases the cross-sectional area of the first aperture and decreases the cross-sectional area of the second aperture, and engagement of the second side of the hair care appliance with hair increases the cross-sectional area of the second aperture and decreases the cross-sectional area of the first aperture.

Optional features of one aspect of the invention may be equally applied to other aspects of the invention where appropriate.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing a hair care appliance according to the present invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view through a handle unit of the hair care appliance of fig. 1;

fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of an accessory for the hair care appliance of fig. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the accessory of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the accessory of FIG. 3 in a resting configuration;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the attachment of FIG. 3 engaged with hair in use;

fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of an accessory for the hair care appliance of fig. 1;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the accessory of FIG. 7 in a resting configuration;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the attachment of FIG. 7 engaged with hair during use;

fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of an accessory for the hair care appliance of fig. 1;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the accessory of FIG. 10 in a resting configuration;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the attachment of FIG. 10 engaged with hair during use;

fig. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an accessory for the hair care appliance of fig. 1;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the attachment of FIG. 13 without any force;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of the accessory of FIG. 13 in a resting configuration;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the attachment of FIG. 13 engaged with hair in use;

fig. 17 is a schematic view of a fifth embodiment of an accessory of the hair care appliance of fig. 1 in a resting configuration; and

fig. 18 is a schematic view of the attachment of fig. 17 engaged with hair in use.

Detailed Description

A hair care appliance according to the present invention is schematically illustrated in fig. 1 and generally indicated at 10.

The hair care appliance 10 includes a handle unit 12 and an accessory 100 removably attached to the handle unit 12.

As schematically shown in fig. 2, the handle unit 12 includes a housing 14, an airflow generator 16, a heater 18, and a control unit 20.

The housing 14 is tubular and includes an air inlet 22 through which air flow is drawn into the housing 14 by the air flow generator 16 and an air outlet 24 through which air flow is exhausted from the housing 14. The airflow generator 16 is housed within the housing 14 and includes an impeller 26 driven by a motor 28. The heater 18 is also housed within the housing 14 and includes a heating element 30 to optionally heat the air flow.

The control unit 20 comprises electronic circuitry for the user interface 32 and the control module 34. A user interface 32 is provided on the outer surface of the housing 14 and is used to turn the hair care appliance 10 on and off, select a flow rate (e.g., high, medium, and low), and select an air flow temperature (e.g., hot, medium, or cold). In the example of fig. 1, the user interface includes a plurality of slide switches, but other forms of user interface 32 are also contemplated, such as buttons, dials, or a touch screen.

The control module 34 is responsible for controlling the airflow generator 16 and the heater 18 in response to inputs from the user interface 32. For example, in response to input from the user interface 32, the control module 34 may control the power or speed of the airflow generator 16 to adjust the flow rate of the airflow, and control the power of the heater 18 to adjust the temperature of the airflow.

The accessory 100 is schematically shown in fig. 3 to 6. The accessory 100 includes a body 106 and a plurality of bristle beds 108.

The body 106 is generally cylindrical with one end open and the other end closed. The open end serves as an inlet 110 for the body 106. The body 106 has a plurality of slots 112, with the bristle bed 108 mounted within the slots 112, and movement of the bristle bed 108 within the slots 112 causes the air outlets 114 of the accessory 100 to selectively open between the longitudinal edges of the bristle bed 108 and the slots 112, as will be discussed below. Each air outlet 114 may be considered as an aperture defined between the bristle bed 108 and an adjacent portion of the body 106.

The bristle beds 108 may be considered to be movable members of the accessory 100, and each bristle bed 108 includes a plurality of bristles 116 upstanding from a body portion 118. As can be seen in fig. 5, each body portion 118 of the bristle bed 108 is shaped to conform to an adjacent portion of the body 106. This means that when the body portion 118 of the bristle bed 108 contacts an adjacent portion of the body 108, the air outlets 114 selectively defined by the bristle bed 108 are closed such that substantially no air flow can pass through the air outlets 114.

The bristle bed 108 is thicker than adjacent portions of the body 106 such that when the body portion 118 is fully engaged with the body 106, such as when the air outlet 114 is fully closed, an innermost region of the bristle bed 108 extends radially inward from an innermost region of the body 106. Each bristle bed 108 is attached to an adjacent bristle bed 108 around the periphery of the accessory by springs 120, each spring 120 extending between the radially innermost portions of bristle beds 108. Although shown here as a single spring 120 connecting adjacent bristle beds 108, it should be understood that in practice, multiple springs may be used to connect adjacent bristle beds 108, e.g., the springs are spaced along the longitudinal extent of the bristle beds. The use of multiple springs may provide a uniform opening of the air outlet 114 during use.

As shown in FIG. 5, when in use air flows through the attachment 100, and when the attachment 100 is not engaged with hair, the internal air pressure of the attachment biases the bristle bed 108 radially outwardly from the body 106 into a resting configuration such that each air outlet 114 is slightly opened. In this stationary configuration, a diffuse airflow may be provided around the periphery of the accessory through each air outlet 114.

When the bristles 116 of the bristle bed 108 are in engagement with hair in use, as shown in fig. 6, the force applied to the bristle bed 108 by engagement with the hair and relative movement pulls the bristle bed 108 to move the bristle bed 108 within the channel 112, thereby changing the cross-sectional area of the air outlet 114 defined by the bristle bed 108. For example, in fig. 6, the cross-sectional area of the first air outlet 114a defined by the first bristle bed 108a increases in response to engagement with hair and relative movement in a first direction, while the cross-sectional area of the second air outlet 114b defined by the first bristle bed 108a decreases in response to engagement with hair and relative movement in the first direction. In this manner, in use, an increased amount of air flow may be through the first air outlet 114a in response to engagement of the first bristle bed 108 with hair. It will of course be appreciated that engagement with hair and relative movement in a second direction opposite the first direction will reduce the cross-sectional area of the first air outlet 114a while increasing the cross-sectional area of the second air outlet 114 b.

The bristle bed 108 can move within the slots 112 in response to engagement of hair with the accessory 100 such that movement of the bristle bed occurs in radial and circumferential directions. This may provide greater flexibility of movement than radial or circular movement alone.

As previously described, each bristle bed 108 is connected to adjacent bristle beds 108 by springs 120. Thus, movement of one bristle bed 108 relative to the body 106 also results in movement of the other bristle bed 108 relative to the body 106. In particular, as shown in FIG. 6, when the bristle beds 108 are engaged with the hair in use to move and increase the cross-sectional area of the air outlets 114 defined by the bristle beds 108, the bristle beds 108 that are not in contact with the hair move within their slots 112 to close their corresponding air outlets 114. It can be seen that the opposing bristle beds 108 move in the same direction in response to engagement of one of the bristle beds 108 with the hair, e.g., one bristle bed 108 is pulled by the hair, while the opposing bristle bed 108 is pulled in the same direction by the spring 108.

Thus, the air outlet 114 on the first side 122 of the attachment 100 that is engaged with hair in use may experience an increase in cross-sectional area, while the air outlet 114 on the second side 124 of the attachment 100 that is not engaged with hair in use may experience a decrease in cross-sectional area, wherein the air outlet 114 on the second side 124 of the attachment 100 is closed in response to the increase in cross-sectional area of the air outlet 114 on the first opposite side 122 of the attachment 100. This may enable a greater volume of air flow to be provided on one side of the accessory 100 relative to the other opposite side of the accessory 100, which may provide increased efficiency, e.g. less wastage of air flow directed away from the hair in use, and may provide increased styling control by directing the air flow primarily only in a desired direction in use, thereby reducing the risk of stray air flow affecting the styling process. The first side 122 and the second side 124 of the accessory 100 are located on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis C of the accessory 100.

In use, when detached from the hair, the spring 120 returns the bristle bed 108 to the rest configuration. The increase in cross-sectional area of the air outlets 114 may also reduce the internal air pressure of the body 106, which may help move the bristle bed 108 out of contact with the hair under the action of the springs 120 to close their corresponding air outlets 114.

As shown in FIG. 6, the shape of the slots 112 and bristle bed 108 in the body 106 is such that, in use, the air flow through the air outlet 114 is in a direction having a tangential component and a radial component. This may help to direct the air flow along the length of the hair in use, which may provide increased efficiency and reduced drying time.

In the embodiment of fig. 3-6, movement of any one of the bristle beds 108 causes movement of the other bristle beds 108 to selectively open and close the air outlet 114 of the accessory 100. In a slight modification of the accessory 100 of fig. 3-6, each bristle bed 108 can be attached to the center post of the body 106 by one of the springs 120. In such a modified version, the reduction in internal pressure of the accessory 100 caused by movement of the bristle bed 108 to increase the cross-sectional area of the air outlets 114 on one side of the accessory 100 may help move the bristle bed 108 out of contact with hair to close their corresponding air outlets 114 under the action of the springs 120.

Fig. 7 to 9 show a further embodiment of an accessory 200 for the handle unit 12 of fig. 1.

The accessory 200 of fig. 7-9 is similar to the accessory 100 of fig. 3-6 in that the accessory of fig. 7-9 includes a body 202 and a bristle bed 204 positioned in a channel 206 formed in the body 202. However, two bristle beds 204 are located in each channel, with each bristle bed 204 at least partially defining a single air outlet 208 with an adjacent portion of the body 202.

Each bristle bed 204 includes a body portion 210, the body portion 210 having a generally L-shaped cross-sectional profile, as shown in fig. 8, with a plurality of bristles 212 extending outwardly from the body portion 210. Each bristle bed 204 has a protrusion or corresponding recess depending on its position within the channel 206.

The body 202 is generally cylindrical and includes a central post 214 and a plurality of slots 206. Each bristle bed 204 can pivot about a central post 214, and each bristle bed 204 is connected to an adjacent portion of its corresponding body 202 by a spring 216. In the absence of air flow through the accessory 200, the spring 216 biases the bristle bed 204 into contact with the adjacent portion of the corresponding body 202. Although springs 216 are shown here connecting each bristle bed 204 to an adjacent portion of its corresponding body 202, embodiments are also contemplated in which compression springs are located between bristle beds 24 in the same channel 206, or in which the body portions 210 of bristle beds 204 are elastically deformable to eliminate the need for springs 216. The bristle beds 204 are sized such that the circumferential extent of each bristle bed 204 is less than half the circumferential extent of the channel 206 in which the bristle bed 204 is disposed. Thus, when the bristle beds 204 are biased into contact with adjacent portions of the corresponding body 202, there is a gap within adjacent bristle beds 204 within the same channel 206, and each bristle bed 204 within the same channel 206 is movable relative to the other bristle beds 204 within the same channel 206.

As shown in FIG. 8, when in use air flows through the attachment 200, and when the attachment 200 is not engaged with hair, the internal air pressure of the attachment biases the bristle bed 204 circumferentially away from the adjacent portion of the corresponding body 202 into a resting configuration such that each air outlet 208 is slightly opened. In this resting configuration, diffuse airflow may be provided around the periphery of the accessory 200 through each air outlet 208.

When the bristles 212 of the bristle bed 204 are engaged with hair in use, as shown in fig. 9, the force applied to the bristle bed 204 by engagement with the hair and relative movement pulls the bristle bed 204 to move the bristle bed 204 within the channel 206, thereby changing the cross-sectional area of the air outlet 208 defined by the bristle bed 204. The movement of the bristle bed 204 within the channel 206 increases the cross-sectional area of its air outlet 208, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the air outlet 208 defined by another bristle bed 204 in the same channel 206.

For example, in fig. 8, the cross-sectional area of a first air outlet 208a defined by a first bristle bed 204a increases in response to engagement with hair and relative movement in a first direction, while the cross-sectional area of a second air outlet 208b defined by a second bristle bed 204b in the same channel 206 decreases in response to engagement with hair and relative movement in the first direction, wherein the first bristle bed 204a contacts the second bristle bed 204b to cause such movement. In this manner, in use, an increased amount of air flow may be through the first air outlet 208a in response to engagement of the first bristle bed 204a with hair. It will of course be appreciated that engagement with hair and relative movement in a second direction opposite the first direction will reduce the cross-sectional area of the first air outlet 208a while increasing the cross-sectional area of the second air outlet 204 b.

The bristle bed 204 may move within the channel 206 in response to engagement of hair with the accessory 200 such that movement of the bristle bed 204 occurs in a circumferential direction. This may provide the accessory 200 with a reduced profile compared to an accessory in which the bristle bed moves radially outward.

In use, when detached from the hair, the spring 216 returns the bristle bed 204 to a rest configuration. The increase in the cross-sectional area of the air outlet 208 reduces the internal air pressure of the body 202. This reduction in internal air pressure of the body 202 means that the internal air pressure is no longer sufficient to bias the bed of bristles 204, which are not engaged by the hair, to a resting configuration. Thus, the bristle beds 204 that are not engaged with the hair move under the action of the springs 216 to close their corresponding air outlets 208.

Thus, the air outlet 208 on the first side 220 of the attachment 200 that is engaged with hair in use may experience an increase in cross-sectional area, while the air outlet 208 on the second side 222 of the attachment 200 that is not engaged with hair in use may experience a decrease in cross-sectional area, wherein the air outlet 208 on the second side 222 of the attachment 200 is closed in response to the increase in cross-sectional area of the air outlet 208 on the first opposite side 220 of the attachment 200. This may enable a greater volume of air flow to be provided on one side of the accessory 200 relative to the other opposite side of the accessory 200, which may provide increased efficiency, e.g. less wastage of air flow directed away from the hair in use, and may provide increased styling control by directing the air flow primarily only in a desired direction in use, thereby reducing the risk of stray air flow affecting the styling process. The first side 220 and the second side 222 of the accessory 200 are located on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis C of the accessory 200.

Thus, the accessory 200 of fig. 7 to 9 is similar to the accessory of fig. 3 to 6 in that in use, movement of one bristle bed 204 results in movement of at least one other bristle bed 204.

As shown in fig. 9, the bristle bed 204 is shaped such that, in use, the air flow through the air outlet 208 is in a direction having a tangential component and a radial component. This may help to direct the air flow along the length of the hair in use, which may provide increased efficiency and reduced drying time.

Another embodiment of the accessory 300 is schematically illustrated in fig. 10-12.

The accessory 300 of fig. 10-12 is similar to the accessory 100 of fig. 3-6 and the accessory 200 of fig. 7-9 in that the accessory 300 of fig. 10-12 includes a body 302 and a bristle bed 304 positioned in a channel 306 formed in the body 302. Here, however, each groove 306 is relatively large, with the circumferential extent of each groove 306 being only slightly less than half of the overall circumferential extent of the body 302, such that there are only two grooves 306, with a single bristle bed 304 disposed in each groove 306. Each bristle bed 304, along with adjacent portions of the body 302, at least partially define two air outlets 308.

Each bristle bed 304 includes a body portion 310, the body portion 310 having a plurality of bristles 312 extending outwardly from the body portion 310. The body portion 310 includes an inwardly facing protrusion 314 for contacting the body 302 in use, and the inwardly facing protrusion 314 may control movement of the bristle bed 304 relative to the body 302.

The body 302 is generally cylindrical and includes a central post 316 and a plurality of slots 306. Each bristle bed 304 is connected to a central column 316 by a spring 318, as shown in fig. 11. Although shown here as one spring 318, it should be understood that in practice, multiple springs may be used along the length of the bristle bed 304 to provide uniform movement along the length of the bristle bed 304. The springs 318 bias the respective bristle beds to a stationary configuration, as shown in fig. 11, wherein air flows through each air outlet 308. In this resting configuration, diffuse airflow may be provided around the periphery of the accessory 300 through each air outlet 308.

When the bristles 312 of the bristle bed 304 are engaged with hair in use, as shown in fig. 12, the force applied to the bristle bed 304 by engagement with the hair and relative movement pulls the bristle bed 304 to move the bristle bed 304 within the channel 306, thereby changing the cross-sectional area of each air outlet 308 defined by the bristle bed 304. As shown in fig. 12, movement of the bristle bed 304 causes the bristle bed 304 to leave the channel 306 and move circumferentially around the periphery of the accessory to the channel 306 on the opposite side of the accessory 300, as will be discussed below.

The movement of the bristle bed 304 within the channel 306 increases the cross-sectional area of one air outlet 308 defined by the bristle bed 304, thereby decreasing the cross-sectional area of the other air outlet 308 defined by the bristle bed 304.

For example, in fig. 12, the cross-sectional area of a first air outlet 308a defined by a first bristle bed 304a increases in response to engagement with hair and relative movement in a first direction, while the cross-sectional area of a second air outlet 308b defined by the same bristle bed 304a decreases in response to engagement with hair and relative movement in the first direction. In this manner, in use, an increased amount of air flow may be through the first air outlet 308a in response to engagement of the first bristle bed 304a with hair. It will of course be appreciated that engagement with hair and relative movement in a second direction opposite the first direction will reduce the cross-sectional area of the first air outlet 308a while increasing the cross-sectional area of the second air outlet 308 b. In use, when detached from the hair, the spring 318 returns the bristle bed 304 to a rest configuration.

The bristle bed 304 may move within the channel 306 in response to engagement of hair with the accessory 300 such that movement of the bristle bed 304 occurs in radial and circumferential directions. This may provide greater flexibility of movement than radial or circular movement alone.

As previously described, movement of the bristle bed 304 causes the bristle bed 304 to leave the channel 306 and move circumferentially around the periphery of the accessory to the channel 306 on the opposite side of the accessory 300. In particular, as shown in fig. 12, when engaged with hair and the hair is applying tension in a first direction, the first bristle bed 304a rotates counterclockwise about the periphery of the attachment 300 and moves about the body 302 such that the first bristle bed 304a contacts the second bristle bed 304b and moves the second bristle bed 304b within the channel 306 thereof. Thus, a portion of the first bristle bed 304a covers a portion of one channel 306, while another portion of the first bristle bed 304a is located within another channel 306.

In this manner, the cross-sectional area of the first air outlet 308a defined by the first bristle bed 304a increases while the air flow through the second air outlet 308b defined by the first bristle bed 304a and the air flow through the air outlet 308 defined by the second bristle bed 304b are blocked.

Thus, the air outlet 308 on the first side 320 of the attachment 300 that is engaged with hair in use may experience an increase in cross-sectional area, while the air outlet 308 on the second side 322 of the attachment 300 that is not engaged with hair in use may experience a decrease in cross-sectional area, wherein the air outlet 308 on the second side 322 of the hair care appliance 10 is closed in response to the increase in cross-sectional area of the air outlet 308 on the first opposite side 320 of the attachment 300. This may enable a greater volume of air flow to be provided on one side of the accessory 300 relative to the other opposite side of the accessory 300, which may provide increased efficiency, e.g. less wastage of air flow directed away from the hair in use, and may provide increased styling control by directing the air flow primarily only in a desired direction in use, thereby reducing the risk of stray air flow affecting the styling process. The first side 320 and the second side 322 of the accessory 300 are located on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis C of the accessory 300.

Thus, the accessory 300 of figures 10 to 12 is similar to the accessory 100 of figures 3 to 6, as well as the accessory of figures 7 to 9, in that in use movement of one bristle bed 304 results in movement of at least one other bristle bed 304.

Another embodiment of an accessory 400 is schematically illustrated in fig. 13-16.

The accessory 400 of fig. 13-16 is similar to the accessory 100 of fig. 3-6, the accessory 200 of fig. 7-9, and the accessory 300 of fig. 10-12 in that the accessory 400 of fig. 13-16 includes a body 402 and a bristle bed 404 positioned in a slot 406 formed in the body 402. Here, the bristle bed 404 has a width that is less than the outermost width of the slot 406 and is located radially inward of the body 402 such that the bristle bed 404 cannot move radially outward from the body 402 through the slot 406. Each bristle bed 404, along with adjacent portions of the body 302, at least partially define two air outlets 408.

Each bristle bed 404 includes a body portion 410, the body portion 410 having a plurality of bristles 412 extending outwardly from the body portion 310. The bristle beds 404 are connected together by continuous elastic bands 414. Although shown here as a single continuous elastic band 414, it should be appreciated that multiple continuous elastic bands may be provided, such as longitudinally spaced along the length of the bristle bed 404, to provide uniform movement along the length of the bristle bed 404.

As shown in fig. 14, the continuous elastic band 414 is generally circular in the absence of any force, and the diameter of the continuous elastic band 414 is smaller than the diameter of the body 402 in the absence of any force.

When the airflow is flowing through the attachment 400 in use and the attachment is not engaged with hair, the internal air pressure of the attachment 400 forces the bristle bed 404 radially outwardly, but the elasticity of the continuous elastic band 414 is such that the bristle bed 404 does not close the air outlet 408. This is referred to as a rest configuration, as shown in fig. 15. In the resting configuration, the airflow through each air outlet 408 is substantially equal, and diffuse airflow may be provided around the periphery of the accessory 400 through each air outlet 408.

When the bristles 412 of the bristle bed 404 are in use engaged with hair, as shown in fig. 15, the force applied to the bristle bed 404 by engagement with the hair and relative movement pulls the bristle bed 404 to move the bristle bed 404 within the channel 406, thereby changing the cross-sectional area of the air outlet 408 defined by the bristle bed 404. For example, in fig. 15, the cross-sectional area of the first air outlet 408a defined by the first bristle bed 404a increases in response to engagement with hair and relative movement in a first direction, while the cross-sectional area of the second air outlet 408b defined by the first bristle bed 404a decreases in response to engagement with hair and relative movement in the first direction. In this manner, in use, an increased amount of air flow may be through the first air outlet 408a in response to engagement of the first bristle bed 404a with hair. It will of course be appreciated that engagement with hair and relative movement in a second direction opposite the first direction will reduce the cross-sectional area of the first air outlet 408a while increasing the cross-sectional area of the second air outlet 404 b.

The bristle bed 404 may move within the slot 406 in response to engagement of hair with the accessory 400 such that movement of the bristle bed occurs in radial and circumferential directions. This may provide greater flexibility of movement than radial or circular movement alone.

As previously described, each bristle bed 404 is connected to adjacent bristle beds 404 by a continuous elastic band 414. When the bristle bed 404 (e.g., the first bristle bed 404a of fig. 16) is engaged with hair in use, force from such engagement applies a force to the bristle bed 404, causing the bristle bed 404 to move slightly radially inward toward the center of the attachment 400. This radial movement causes the continuous elastic band 414 to relax slightly in the region of the bristle bed 404 that engages the hair. This allows the movement of the remaining bristle beds 404 to move with the aid of the air flow inside the accessory 400 to close their corresponding air outlets 408.

Thus, the air outlet 408 on the first side 416 of the attachment 400 that engages hair in use may experience an increase in cross-sectional area, while the air outlet 408 on the second side 418 of the attachment 400 that does not engage hair in use may experience a decrease in cross-sectional area, wherein the air outlet 408 on the second side 418 of the attachment 400 is closed in response to the increase in cross-sectional area of the air outlet 408 on the first opposite side 416 of the attachment 400. This may enable a greater volume of air flow to be provided on one side of the accessory 400 relative to the other opposite side of the accessory 400, which may provide increased efficiency, e.g. less wastage of air flow directed away from the hair in use, and may provide increased styling control by directing the air flow primarily only in a desired direction in use, thereby reducing the risk of stray air flow affecting the styling process. The first side 416 and the second side 418 of the accessory 400 are located on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis C of the accessory 400.

As shown in fig. 16, the shape of the slots 406 and bristle bed 404 in the body 402 is such that, in use, the air flow through the air outlet 408 is in a direction having a tangential component and a radial component. This may help to direct the air flow along the length of the hair in use, which may provide increased efficiency and reduced drying time.

Each of the above-described attachments 100, 200, 300, 400 are similar in that movement of one bristle bed causes movement of at least one other bristle bed in use.

Another embodiment of an accessory 500 is schematically illustrated in fig. 17 and 18.

The accessory 500 includes a body 502 and a movable member 504 radially outward of the body 502. The body 502 is stationary and includes a generally cylindrical hollow body having a plurality of channels 506 formed therein. A plurality of channels 506 are spaced around the periphery of the body 502.

The movable member 504 includes a solid body 508, a plurality of apertures 510 formed in the body 508, and a plurality of bristles 512 extending outwardly from the body 508. A plurality of apertures 510 are spaced around the periphery of the body 508 and define the air outlet of the accessory 500. The moveable member 504 is rotatable about the body 502 in use, for example by pivoting about a central post (not shown) of the body 502 in one embodiment.

As shown in fig. 17, the movable member 504 is biased to a stationary configuration by a spring (not shown), such as a torsion spring, in which each aperture 510 is partially aligned with a respective one of the channels 506. Thus, airflow is able to flow through each aperture 510 in a stationary configuration. This may provide a diffuse airflow around the entire periphery of the accessory 500 in a resting configuration.

When the bristles 512 of the movable member 504 are engaged with hair in use, the movable member 504 rotates about the periphery of the body 502, and movement of the movable member 504 relative to the body 502 is constrained by the spring. The aperture 510 and the channel 506 are positioned such that when the movable member 504 is moved about the body 502 in a first direction, the aperture 510 on a first side of the accessory 500 is fully aligned with the channel 506 on the same side, while the aperture 510 on the opposite side of the accessory 500 is fully misaligned with the channel 506 on that side of the accessory 500.

For example, in the illustration of fig. 18, the movable member 504 has been moved around the body 502 in a counter-clockwise direction in response to engagement of hair with the bristles 512. This results in the aperture 510 on a first side 514 of the accessory 500 (e.g., the first side of the central axis C) being fully aligned with the corresponding channel 506, while the aperture 510 on a second side 516 of the accessory 500 opposite the first side 514 is fully misaligned with the corresponding channel 506, i.e., the channel 506 is blocked by the solid body 508 of the movable member. Thus, airflow can escape through the first side 514 of the accessory 500, while airflow cannot escape through the second side 516 of the accessory 500. It will be appreciated that forces exerted by the hair in opposite directions will enable airflow through the second side 516 of the accessory 500 while disabling airflow through the first side 514 of the accessory 500.

In a manner similar to the other appendages 100, 200, 300, 400 described herein, the cross-sectional area of the aperture 510 on the first side 514 of the appendage 500 that engages hair during use will increase, while the cross-sectional area of the aperture 510 on the second side 516 of the appendage 500 that does not engage hair during use will decrease. This may enable a greater volume of air flow to be provided on one side of accessory 500 relative to the other opposite side of accessory 500, which may provide increased efficiency, e.g., less waste of air flow directed away from the hair in use, and may provide increased styling control by having the air flow directed primarily only in a desired direction in use, thereby reducing the risk of stray air flow affecting the styling process.

As shown in fig. 17 and 18, the passage 506 in the body 502 and the aperture 510 in the movable member 504 are shaped such that, in use, airflow through the aperture 510 is in a direction having a tangential component and a radial component. This may help to direct the air flow along the length of the hair in use, which may provide increased efficiency and reduced drying time.

Each of the appendages 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 described above is similar in that airflow through one side of the appendage increases in response to engagement with hair, while airflow through the opposite side of the appendage not engaged with hair decreases.

Embodiments are also contemplated wherein the hair care appliance 10 does not comprise a handle unit 12 and an accessory 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, but rather is a single piece unit, for example in the form of the previously described combined handle unit 12 and accessory 100, 200, 300, 400, 500.

Although the embodiments described herein have been described with "first" and "second" sides, those skilled in the art will appreciate that in practice any side of the attachment 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 that engages hair may be considered a "first side" as discussed herein, while the opposite side of the attachment 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 that does not engage hair may be considered a "second side" as discussed herein.

Similarly, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the number of bristle beds of the attachments 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 described herein may vary from that shown, for example, it is contemplated that the attachments have at least two bristle beds.

Claims

1. An attachment for a hair care appliance, the attachment comprising an air inlet for receiving an air flow and an air outlet, wherein the air outlet comprises a first aperture on a first side of the attachment and a second aperture on a second side of the attachment opposite the first side of the attachment, the attachment being configured such that engagement of the first side of the attachment with hair increases the air flow through the first aperture and decreases the air flow through the second aperture, and engagement of the second side of the attachment with hair increases the air flow through the second aperture and decreases the air flow through the first aperture.

2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the accessory is configured such that engagement of a first side of the accessory with hair reduces airflow through the second aperture to zero and engagement of a second side of the accessory with hair reduces airflow through the first aperture to zero.

3. The fitment of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second apertures comprises a respective maximum cross-sectional area, and the fitment is configured such that the first aperture comprises its maximum cross-sectional area when airflow through the second aperture is zero, and the second aperture comprises its maximum cross-sectional area when airflow through the first aperture is zero.

4. An accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the accessory comprises a fixed member and a movable member movable relative to the fixed member, movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member occurs in response to engagement of hair with either of the first and second sides, and movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member varies airflow through either of the first and second apertures.

5. An accessory according to claim 4 wherein the movable member comprises a plurality of bristles and the movable member is movable in use in response to engagement of the bristles with hair.

6. The accessory of claim 4 or 5, wherein the accessory includes a primary airflow path, the stationary member defines first and second passages leading from the primary airflow path to the movable member, the first and second apertures are formed in the movable member, and movement of the movable member relative to the stationary member changes an alignment of the first aperture with the first passage and an alignment of the second aperture with the second passage.

7. The accessory of claim 6, wherein the movable member is biased to a resting configuration in which the first aperture is partially aligned with the first channel and the second aperture is partially aligned with the second channel.

8. The accessory of claim 6 or 7, wherein the first and second apertures are shaped such that the airflow through the first and second apertures includes a component tangential to the accessory.

9. The accessory of claim 4 or 5, wherein the fixed member and the movable member each at least partially define the first and second apertures such that movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member changes a cross-sectional area of either of the first and second apertures.

10. The accessory of claim 9, wherein engagement of the first side of the accessory with hair moves the movable member to increase the cross-sectional area of the first aperture and decrease the cross-sectional area of the second aperture, and engagement of the second side of the accessory with hair moves the movable member to increase the cross-sectional area of the second aperture and decrease the cross-sectional area of the first aperture.

11. The accessory of claim 9 or 10, wherein each of the first and second apertures includes a respective minimum cross-sectional area, engagement of the first side of the accessory with hair moves the movable member to reduce the cross-sectional area of the second aperture to its minimum cross-sectional area, and engagement of the second side of the accessory with hair moves the movable member to reduce the cross-sectional area of the first aperture to its minimum cross-sectional area.

12. The accessory of claim 11, wherein a minimum cross-sectional area of each of the first and second apertures is zero.

13. The accessory according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the movable member includes a first movable portion at least partially defining the first aperture and a second movable portion at least partially defining the second aperture, movement of the first movable portion resulting in movement of the second movable portion and movement of the second movable portion resulting in movement of the first movable portion.

14. The accessory of claim 13, wherein movement of the first movable portion in a first direction increases a cross-sectional area of the first aperture, movement of the second movable portion in the first direction decreases a cross-sectional area of the second aperture, movement of the first movable portion in a second direction opposite the first direction decreases a cross-sectional area of the first aperture, and movement of the second movable portion in the second direction increases a cross-sectional area of the second aperture.

15. The accessory of claim 13 or 14, wherein movement of the first and second movable portions is limited such that the first and second apertures include a maximum cross-sectional area and a minimum cross-sectional area, respectively, at a boundary of movement of the first and second movable portions.

16. The accessory of claim 15, wherein the first aperture includes a maximum cross-sectional area thereof when the second aperture includes a minimum cross-sectional area thereof, and the first aperture includes a minimum cross-sectional area thereof when the second aperture includes a maximum cross-sectional area thereof.

17. An accessory as claimed in claim 15 or 16 wherein the first and second movable portions are biased in use to a rest configuration and the first and second apertures comprise a cross-sectional area intermediate their maximum and minimum cross-sectional areas when the first and second movable portions are in their respective rest configurations.

18. The accessory of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the accessory includes a plurality of apertures positioned around a periphery of the accessory, the plurality of apertures including the first aperture and the second aperture, the accessory being configured such that engagement of the accessory with hair in the region of any one of the plurality of apertures increases airflow through the aperture and decreases airflow through the opposing aperture on the opposite side of the accessory.

19. A hair care appliance comprising an air inlet, an air outlet and an airflow generator for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet, wherein the air outlet comprises a first aperture on a first side of the hair care appliance and a second aperture on a second side of the hair care appliance opposite the first side of the hair care appliance, the hair care appliance being configured such that engagement of the first side of the hair care appliance with hair increases airflow through the first aperture and decreases airflow through the second aperture, and engagement of the second side of the hair care appliance with hair increases airflow through the second aperture and decreases airflow through the first aperture.

20. The hair care appliance of claim 19, wherein the hair care appliance comprises a handle unit and an accessory, the airflow generator disposed within the handle unit, the accessory comprising the air outlet, the accessory being removably attached to the handle unit.